Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 Apr 2023 Period start date To 31 Mar 2024 Period end date
Charity name: Alive UK
Charity registration number: 1192806 Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | Church activities Emergency Aid |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Community church Community Cafe & Foodbank Partnering with local schools Toy Appeal Project Compassion Project |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees understanding the importance of providing public benefit. This is demonstrated in 3 above. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social Para 1.38 investment including program related investment
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Alive UK exists on the committed team of trustees and volunteers. All volunteers receive adequate training and where necessary are DBS checked. Application forms are used and where appropriate references are requested. The church activities and the charitable activities of the charity are all carried out by a group of volunteers who give their time and their skills to work in a range of areas to serve and love people. This is putting God’s love into action. There are more than 50 volunteers serving in different roles within the charity. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.
Para 1.20
Alive UK is foundationally a Christian church. The church is led by Jo and Phil Thorne who have been Senior Pastors over the course of City Church Norwich and now Alive UK (inc. Alive Church), carrying the responsibility of the running of the church. Assisting them is a team of volunteer leaders and trustees supporting the vision and the outworking of it. SUNDAY SERVICES Alive Church has continued to run inperson services every Sunday. The church has continued to be engaging for the community and new members have been added this year. CONNECT GROUPS In-person groups continue to meet fortnightly, there has been new members added. Members are able to spend time together, talk, have fun and encourage one another in their faith. This has included bible studies, games evenings, prayer times, trips to the beach, quizzes and other social activities.
LADIES & MENS MEETS
We place importance on relationships and in addition to the connect group we run we hold regular men’s and ladies events three or four times a year. These events are creative and different and are great occasions to get together and invite friends too. Examples include coffee, cake & craft mornings, snooker nights, scalextrics and Christmas wreath making.
OTHER GROUPS
A group that has been running in this time has been our Scalextric group. This has met on a monthly basis with on average 10 people at a time to have fun together while playing on a large set of Scalextric! This has encouraged people to invite friends and a number of invitees have continued to attend.
CHRISTMAS
Christmas is a key time for the church to be connecting with the community and sharing about the birth of Jesus. Over the whole month of December, the church had an outsider lit area with a Father Christmas set and a Nativity set which was seen by hundreds of external visitors with many having their pictures taken on the sleigh. A community Candlelit Christmas service was held one afternoon with worship and drama in a relaxed cafe manner. This was attended by over 100 people. On Christmas Eve, many families came to see Father Christmas, Mrs Christmas and their Elves and the children received gifts free of charge, Mince pies, hot chocolate and mulled wine were served inside. Hundreds of people attended.
EMERGENCY AID ACTIVITIES - FOODBANK & COMMUNITY CAFE For many, this help and regular contact was a lifeline, not only because of food provided, but also easing mental health and loneliness. Alive UK continues this much needed lifeline. Foodbank and Community Cafe is open to all and a full cooked English breakfast is available at a heavily subsidised price of £3. This is able to be done due to the number of donations that are received from supermarkets through food sharing schemes. The Foodbank operates at the same time and a free breakfast is available to people coming in with a Foodbank voucher. During this time hundreds of boxes of food were given out.
The charity is registered with various supermarkets and food outlets for collections of food which are given out to those through the different activities of the charity. WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHANTRY PLACE We have been working with Chantry Place (formerly known as Chapelfield Mall) during this period to collect food to be used in food parcels and at our Community Cafe/Foodbank. A secure box is available in Chantry Place as well as in another church where people can donate foods such as tins and dried foods. Alive has benefitted with both the city centre exposure as well as food provision for those needing emergency aid.
We are grateful to the partnership working with Tesco, Macro, Chantry Place, Norwich and Foodbank to help provide to those in need in the city of Norwich, as well at Eternity Church, Norwich.
TOY APPEAL We worked with Chantry Place in December to collect new toys and wrapping paper to distribute to families who otherwise would not be able to provide presents for their children. Over a 1000 gifts were received and over 300 families helped through Community Cafe and the local schools.. LOCAL SCHOOLS Alive UK also worked with 2 local schools with Christmas presents and food. There is a very good two-way relationship between the church and the schools, fostering good relationships with many of the parents. One of the schools allows the church to use their car park free of charge. Alive Church hosted over 1000 children and parents from the schools in a number of school Christmas performances.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Achievements against objectives set |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Building of our ‘presence’ in the city, the shopping Mall, local newspapers and our presence in the community through the Cafe and Foodbank, the schools and with local authorities. The church growing with new members. |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Most fundraising is through the generous donations of Alive UK members. The County Council awarded £1550 for warm spaces & to help with community facilities, providing funds for running hot water. Cafe Direct awarding £5000 for community engagement. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
| Other |
Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period
Para 1.21
The Trustees are pleased that with all the donations coming in, there has been enough income to manage both the activities of the CIO and the necessary expenditure. The hope is that with budgets going forward there will be increased donations and grants to further the aims of the charity. £1550 grant is for the ‘Warm Spaces’ project given at the beginning of winter and £5000 is for community engagement. Pastoral expenses and use of a mobile largely cover the mileage (.45p) involved in collecting supermarket food donations. The pastors serve the organisation and church in a voluntary capacity and these expenses go towards some of their costs. Alive House, which is owned by City Church, and is solely used by Alive UK, has an agreement with the City Church trustees to ‘rent’ the facility purely on a maintenance package - reflected in the Building Maintenance expense. It is also the case with City Gates Centre, Cowgate, Norwich, NR3 1SZ. This is also solely used by Alive UK on a purely maintenance package as agreed with the Wensum Trust. This keeps the rental costs very low and enables budgets to be spent in line with the main objectives of Alive UK. The Virgin Media Internet costs are across both facilities and provide for good upload speeds for live streaming. The Video, Audio and Lighting budget was primarily needed to equip the church for live streaming. Alive UK continues to support Compassion. We support children’s basic needs and education in a church project in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Worship resources this year continue to be largely focused on worship song backing tracts. Alive UK remains a part of the Ground Level Network, a network of 80 churches in the UK and abroad, providing support, training, accountability and best practice.
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | As a new CIO, we are currently in the process of developing reserves, initially to cover a 3 month period, working up to a 6 month period. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | NIL |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | We are working towards this goal. Currently we have use of a building (belonging to City Church) and only have to maintain the property. There is no usage contract. Our liabilities are with the utilities bills. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Funds come mainly through the generous giving of its leaders, trustees and members. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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| Type of governing document(trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Trust Deed |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are selected and elected on their standing, experience and qualification to enhance the management of the CIO by the trustees in post. |
Additional information (optional)
| Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) | |
|---|---|---|
| Youmay choose toincludefurtherstatements | whererelevant about: | |
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Alive UK |
| Other name the charity uses | Alive Church |
| Registered charity number | 1192806 |
| Charity’s principal address | Alive House Nelson Street Norwich NR2 4DR |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
| Johanna Thorne |
Chair | 16/12/2020 to date | |
| Matthew Whiffin |
16/12/2020 to date | ||
| Jonathan Thorne |
16/12/2020 to date | ||
| Jonathan Plastow |
28/04/2024 to date | ||
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Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
| N/A | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the N/A assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser[Name Address ]
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Full Position:
Chair of Trustees
Name(s):
Johanna Thorne
Date: 10/9/2024
Signature:
Alive UK Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees For the Year Ended 31 March 2024
Independent examiners report to the Trustees of Alive UK
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts for Alive UK (“the charity”) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not comply with these records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
………………………………..
Michelle Ferris BSC (Hons) FCA DChA
Albert Goodman LLP Chartered Accountants Goodwood House Blackbrook Park Avenue Taunton Somerset TA1 2PX
Date: 22 January 2024
Alive UK 1192806 Receipts and payments accounts For the period Period start date Period end date To from 01/04/2023 31/03/2024
CC16a
Section A Receipts and payments
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ - 33,653 3,481 4,170 - 5,000 5,200 33 51,537 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - - 958 - - - 958 |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ - 33,653 3,481 4,170 - 5,958 - 5,200 33 52,495 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | - | - | - | - | 200 |
| Tithes | 33,653 | - | - | 33,653 | 21,433 |
| Offerings | 3,481 | - | - | 3,481 | 2,841 |
| CommunityCafé | 4,170 | - | - | 4,170 | 3,739 |
| Christmas Fayre | - | - | - | - | 553 |
| Grants | 5,000 | 958 | - | 5,958 | 2,000 |
| Scalxetrics | - | - | - | 19 | |
| Rent | 5,200 | - | - | 5,200 | 1,200 |
| Refunds | 33 | - | - | 33 | 249 |
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
51,537 | 958 | - | 52,495 | 32,234 |
| A2 Asset and investment sales, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (see table). | ||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| **Total receipts ** | 51,537 | 958 | - | 52,495 | 32,234 | |||||
| A3 Payments | ||||||||||
| Buildings,Maintenance & Equipment | 1,452 | 958 | - | 2,410 | 7,948 | |||||
| Gas/Electricity | 10,188 | - | 10,188 | 5,568 | ||||||
| Water Rates | 317 | - | 317 | 881 | ||||||
| Admin | 1,953 | - | 1,953 | - | ||||||
| Ansvar Insurance | 4,498 | - | 4,498 | 3,895 | ||||||
| Pastors Expenses | 2,147 | - | 2,147 | 7,418 | ||||||
| Virgin Media Internet | 2,300 | - | 2,300 | 2,351 | ||||||
| Design,Advertising& Printing | 2,227 | - | 2,227 | 923 | ||||||
| Compassion Project | 672 | - | 672 | 672 | ||||||
| Afghan Project | - | - | 6,960 | |||||||
| Mobile for Pastors | 252 | - | 252 | 216 | ||||||
| WorshipResources | 1,719 | - | 1,719 | 3,173 | ||||||
| Church,Children & Youth resources | 1,033 | - | 1,033 | - | ||||||
| VisitingSpeakers | 381 | 381 | - | |||||||
| Christmas & Easter | 1,811 | - | 1,811 | - | ||||||
| Audio,Video & Lighting | - | - | 423 | |||||||
| Kitchen & Catering | 558 | - | 558 | 188 | ||||||
| Bank Fees | 94 | - | 94 | 67 | ||||||
| Ground Level Network & Training | 659 | - | 659 | - | ||||||
| CommunityCafé | 16 | 16 | - | |||||||
| Warmth Project | - | - | 300 | |||||||
| **Sub total ** | 32,277 | 958 | - | 33,235 | 40,983 | |||||
| A4 Asset and investment | ||||||||||
| purchases, (see table) | ||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Total payments | 32,277 | 958 | - | 33,235 | 40,983 | |||||
| Net of receipts/(payments) | 19,260 | - | - | 19,260 | - 8,749 | |||||
| A5 Transfers between funds | - | - | - | |||||||
| A6 Cash funds last year end | 3,296 | - | 3,296 | 12,065 | ||||||
| Cash funds this year end | 22,556 | - | - | 22,556 | 3,316 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
16/12/2024
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Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestri¢t•d funds Restricted funds Endowment fvnds ity nfyar•$t £ trj nèoresi£ 81 Cash funds Eank 22,S38 Communty Calétash ftht 20 Total cash funds 22,556 receip4s3 patrThen15 Unrestricted lunds Restricted funds Endowmènt funds to n•aroSt£ to nfrar95t£ Pynd to wh1¢ •$1 bo10 Cost loptlonao Currem value Ibnal 83 Investfflent assets Fundto wh ass•t bolon Current value IIoDal cost loptltyw B4 Assets rotalned for thg charity's own use Fund to wh¢h to18tO9 UDreslnded Amount du# Uonal Whtyn di1 B5 Llabllltlgs Ieent exaThin¢rs lees Sned by one or trustees OTh beh81f of all the trustees Signature Prilll Na¥ Date ol roval Johanna Thorne Matthew Whrffin CCXX R2 accounts ISSI 1611212024